At EMP, artists learn how to thrive in new media world

The two day event, held Oct. 17 and 18 at the Experience Music Project examined the crossroads between music and technology to help empower artists and further their careers in the evolving landscape of music.

“The speed of change is 100 times faster, and it’s only going to get faster,” said Mark Montgomery, co-founder of echomusic. “The normal constraints the record label told you about are gone.”

Montgomery gave an overview of The Recording Academy’s new social networking Web site, explained how to build the perfect artist Web site and answered audience questions.

“Artists with plans are the most successful,” Montgomery said. “With the right strategy artists can become Pearl Jam without going through the same speed bumps they did.”

Self-promotion, booking shows and getting music to fans used to take a lot of effort. Now the internet and a good Web site make it easy.

“In a world with many outlets, build a strategy and have control of it,” Montgomery said.